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24 1 St John the Evangelist Great Stanmore November 2019 Price 50p
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1
St John the Evangelist
Great Stanmore
November 2019 Price 50p
SUNDAY SERVICES
8am Holy Communion (Order One in traditional language) 9.30am Parish Communion (Order One) or All-Age Communion Coffee is served in Church House after this service
Children 9.30am Junior Church (4-12yrs) in Church House (also crèche for babies)
9.30am Holy Baptism (after due preparation)
11am Morning Prayer (BCP) 5pm Evening Service (see Weekly Bulletin for details)
WEEKDAY SERVICES
10.30am Tuesday Holy Communion Holy and Saints' Days as announced
CHURCH OFFICIALS AND STAFF
Rector
The Reverend Matthew Stone The Rectory, 14 Chambers Walk
Stanmore, HA7 4FN 020 8954 3876 [email protected] Assistant Curate The Revd Jonny Rapson 020 8954 7064 [email protected]
Readers
Jean Orpwood 020 3645 0491 Frances Westcott 020 8952 8665 Lydia McLean 020 8952 5990
Readers Emeriti
Michael Carmody 01895 831 472 Dr Daphne Johnson 020 8958 7892 Dr John Mair 020 8952 5044
Pastoral Assistant
Sylvia Daniels 020 8863 4080 Commissioned Children’s Minister
Beverley McKeon 020 8952 1936
Safeguarding Officers
Mark Lynch 07982 906833 Louise Gregory 07504 527118
Children’s Champion
Sue Wright 07958 499682
Churchwardens
Mark Lynch 07982 906833 Jane Prentice 07976 388958
Deputy Churchwardens
Susan Jones 07964 846148 Graham Nicholson 01923 226969 Hon Treasurer
Jennifer Neve Mobile 07989 378840 Parish Administrator
Karen Stirrup 020 8954 7064 Parish Office, Church House,
Old Church Lane, Stanmore HA7 2QX [email protected] www.stjohnschurchstanmore.org.uk Office hours—9am-2pm Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday
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Bell Ringers Peter Scott (Master) 01895 835 623 Elizabeth Bowen (Secretary) 020 8954 5360
Bereavement Visiting Jean Orpwood 020 3645 0491
Bible Reading Fellowship Carole White 020 8421 1510
Brownies Jean Gregson 020 8952 2866 [email protected]
Church Flowers Peggy Simpson 020 8954 8606
Electoral Roll Andrea Nicholson 01923 226969
Girl Guides Heather Gregson 07900 056 402 [email protected] Sarra Angel 07743 964 777 [email protected]
Junior Church
Beverley McKeon 020 8952 1936
Magazine – Editorial Team
Elizabeth Bowen 020 8954 5360 Jill Medcalf 020 8420 1514 Frances Westcott 020 8952 8665
Magazine – Advertisements Elizabeth Bowen 020 8954 5360
Magazine – Distribution Mick and Sheila Oliver 020 8954 4976
Music – Director of Music Philip Rees 020 8951 3893
Mission to Seafarers Valerie Banger 020 8951 4012
Parish Visiting Team Sylvia Daniels 020 8863 4080
Sheila Oliver 020 8954 4976
Rainbows Francesca Brissimatzakis 07743 040 588 (after 7pm ) [email protected]
St John's Church of England School Headteacher Mrs J Hester 020 8954 3978 Stanmore Hill, Stanmore HA7 3AD
Servers Ian Walker 07947 070613 [email protected]
Social Committee Marianne Wright 020 8952 1604
Stewardship – Gift Aid Jennifer Neve Home 01923 824364 Mobile 07989 378840 [email protected]
Tea & Chat Sylvia Daniels 020 8863 4080
Sheila Oliver 020 8954 4976
Little Fishers Parent & Toddler Group Edit Rees 020 8951 3893
Welcome & Café St Jean Rosemary Mackenzie-Corby 020 8386 1640
PARISH ORGANISATIONS
Cover drawings by Peter Williams
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To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Advertising Manager –
Elizabeth Bowen – 020 8954 5360 – [email protected]
7 Masefield Avenue, Stanmore HA7 3LU
Copy for the magazine — PLEASE let the editors know if mater ial is going to be late and submit it in A5 format if it uses clever computer techniques.
Send it by EMAIL to the following address:
[email protected] - [email protected]
Place it on the table at the back of the church Give it to one of the editorial team (see inside back cover) Send or deliver it to
7 Masefield Avenue, Stanmore, HA7 3LU
19 Culverlands Close, off Green Lane, Stanmore HA7 3AG
Oakmere, Thornton Grove, Hatch End, HA5 4HG
Deadline dates in 2019
17 November — 15 December
Magazine preparation schedule
Deadline Sunday Desirable last date for contributions Monday onwards Late entries considered; magazine compiled Weekend Proof reading Tuesday Magazine sent for printing Friday Magazine available for distribution Saturday & Sunday Magazine on sale in church (last in the month) and available for collection by deliverers
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The Revd. Jonny Rapson writes:
All too often we can find ourselves battling the storms of life. Out of those storms, we can find ourselves questioning our faith. Where is God in all of this? Yet, though we may not know it, we can find strength in these storms. We may feel weak in times of undeniable pain, but that isn’t to say that we are not strong. What is strength anyway? Is it ignoring all the difficult things in life? Or is it falling in the midst of suffering and asking God, where is He in all of this? Sometimes faith does take an element of trusting in God, of course, and there is a lot to be said for following him into the unknown. However, that doesn't mean we can’t ask God the questions that challenge our hearts. Following God in these storms is what makes our faith stronger. Let me share my favourite quote from ‘The Screwtape Letters’ by C. S. Lewis. This book is written from the viewpoint of a senior tempter, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood. Screwtape talks of how their aim to draw people away from God is threatened by faith in times of pain. ‘Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks around upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why they have been forsaken, and still obeys.’ This quote helps us to see that, even in times of great pain, we can become stronger. This doesn't make the difficult times any easier, and it won’t answer why it has happened, but it does remind us that, though we may feel lost, we are actually drawing closer to God.
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Tea and Chat
Tuesdays in Church House
19th November 12.45- 2.45 pm
Fish & Chip Lunch
Tickets £8—Book in advance
ALL ARE WELCOME
Jesus on the Cross is the image of perceived weakness. Crucifixion was the ultimate humiliation, especially for someone who was preaching that He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Yet in this moment, Christ is at His strongest. Beginning His redemptive journey by taking on all the sins of the world. Christ shows us that the world’s vision for strength is futile. We discover that, in our weakness, we are made perfect.
Altar Flowers 2020
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the flower fund during this year for altar flower arrangements on your chosen dates.
The list of dates available for donations in 2020 will be in church from November 10th, with all details & forms to complete.
Please see Sheila Oliver for any further information.
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The Knots Prayer—amplified Loving Father, please untie the knots that are in my mind, heart and life. Remove the ‘have nots, can nots and do nots’ that are in my mind. Lord Jesus, erase the ‘will nots, may nots, might nots’ that may have found a home in my heart.
Holy Spirit , release me from the ‘could nots, would nots and should nots’ that obstruct my life.
And most of all, Holy Trinity, I ask that you remove from my mind, heart and life, all of the ‘am nots’ that I have allowed to hold me back especially the thought that I am not good enough.
Throughout the tour we were fortunate that our tour guide was himself Greek Orthodox and able to tell us a great deal about their faith and their churches. Romania is a very Christian country with 87% being Greek Orthodox and 5% being Roman Catholic. The remaining 8% are made up of Greek Catholics, Lutherans and other non-conformist denominations. Less than 1% are Muslim or Jewish. The paintings in-side an Orthodox church include the entire calendar of 366 days, each band of twelve representing the months of the year, beginning with August when the Virgin was born. Each band has either 30 or 31 individual paintings, with February having 29. The iconostasis is the main focus in the church and consists of paintings of the 12 apostles, Christ, the virgin Mary, and other saints including the patron saint. Round the iconostasis are paintings showing the story of the Crucifixion, starting with the Last Supper. Romania is a beautiful country . The people have been through a lot – invasions from neighbouring countries, then the 41 years of Communism and economic crises – but they are making progress, with the help of the EU and hard-working ex-pats. I recommend a visit.
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then a furrier who made coats from local sheep fleeces. The whole village was very welcoming. On our way back to Bucharest, we drove through the Bicaz gorges, which towered above us and arrived at the Red Lake. It is not red in colour but was the scene of a tragedy when buildings and inhabitants fell into the lake. Bears are said to live in the forests around, but we didn’t see any! We continued to travel south back towards Bucharest. On the way we visited another fortified church, Prejmer. This was also a Lutheran church. We stayed in Brasov which has an interesting Church which was burnt and so is named the Black Church. There is also an old school building, the First Romanian School. Our final visit before we returned to Bucharest for the flight home was to Bran Castle, the supposed home of Dracula. The castle was very spectacular with some romantic turrets against a backdrop of mountains..
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Wow, what a busy couple of months. I can’t believe it is half term already. We enjoyed joining you for our Harvest Celebration and listening to Jonny preach at his first All Age Service. Junior Choir
Before we know it Christmas will be upon us and the Junior Choir have started to rehearse already. If you are interested in your child taking part please speak to me and I will introduce you to the Junior Choir leaders.
Youth Group
Our next youth group event will be the fireworks on 8th November at the rugby club. Our Praise and Worship will continue in Church House on a Sunday at 9.30 so bring your children along and see what exciting things we have planned.
Junior Church Column
Beverley McKeon, Junior Church Leader
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frescoes show the Nativity story, beginning with the Annunciation and ending with the Flight to Egypt. The Annunciation is never a single painting: it shows four stages – Mary’s initial fear, her gradual under-standing of what is required of her and her final acceptance. We moved on to the Moldovita monastery. This had a very spectacular tree of Jesse, with some nice details of the Magi offering gifts and the Presentation in the Temple. Below it was the siege of Jerusalem. We were lucky to see these frescoes in bright sunlight, with a blue sky. As we drove between the monasteries, the road ascended and we had beautiful views of an area nicknamed ‘little Switzerland’. We then had a pleasant afternoon on a steam railway, going slowly through the countryside. The following day we visited two more painted monasteries, Humor and Voronet. The frescoes at Humor have weathered quite badly though there are still some attractive scenes. Voronet is perhaps the most spectacular of the monasteries: it is known as the Sistine chapel of the East. The predominant colour is a beautiful blue, created from lapis lazuli. The Last Judgment is painted on the western wall. On a background of blue, we see the Trinity in the centre: God the Father above, then the Son, then the Holy Spirit as a dove on a throne, with Adam and Eve on either side. Below them, is the hand of God holding a pair of scales. On the right are those to be judged, including those who have drowned at sea. Many on this side, including Turks and other pagans, have already been judged. On the left side are those in heaven, including the saints and the virgin Mary. The repentant thief who was crucified with Jesus is always shown in heaven, carrying a cross which identifies him. The tree of Jesse at Voronet is particularly beautiful with its blue background. Of course, no description can do justice to the paintings: they have to be seen. After visiting these monasteries, we drove to a small village called Polhesti where an al fresco meal had been prepared for us and some entertainment. We had a very nice meal, including polenta which is a staple food here, and were then entertained by some young people in traditional costumes. There was singing and dancing. Then we went to see a traditional smithy, with the bellows being worked by hand, and
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CHILDMINDER
Friendly, caring, trustworthy, locally based childminder
Available 7:30am-6:30pm Mon-Fri inc. school holidays
Very experienced in childcare, with lots of related qualifications
Good knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage requirements
Competitive rates
For more information or to arrange an appointment
Please speak to Edit Rees on 020 8951 3893
or at café St Jean on Sunday
FIXTUREROSE LIMITED
IAN WALKER, CAT, ATT
Tel: 01727 837379—[email protected]
ACCOUNTING — VAT RETURN — TAXATION
SELF ASSESSMENT
Editing the magazine
The current editors would very much like to find someone willing to help with the editing
— ideally someone familiar with using a computer —
in particular Publisher — but instruction can be given.
The more editors there are the less each one has to do.
If you are interested, please get in touch with Elizabeth Bowen.
See back inside cover for contact details.
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Harvest Prayers by Year 6 pupils at St John’s School
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HALL FOR HIRE
CHURCH HOUSE, OLD CHURCH LANE, STANMORE HA7 2QX
CHURCH HOUSE HALL AND GROUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HIRE
FOR ALL ENQUIRIES
PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE
ON 020 8954 7064 OR EMAIL:
WWW.STJOHNSCHURCHSTANMORE.ORG.UK
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The Romanian countryside presented a way of life no longer seen in western Europe, very attractive to look at, but hard work for those living it. We saw old-fashioned hayricks, horse-drawn wagons, and people in the fields lifting potatoes by hand – back-breaking work. It was lovely to see chickens running about, free and happy. Many homes had their own cow or goat. Some people, of course, did own tractors and other mechanised farm machinery. The fields were all farmed and looked fer-tile and prosperous. There seemed to be a well in every garden, each with a different style of covering, some of which were quite grand. We were now in the north of Romania, home of the unique painted monasteries. All Orthodox churches are painted inside from floor to ceiling but a few churches are painted on the outside as well. These were the ones I particularly wanted to see. Our first visit was to the monastery church of Sucevita. This is, in fact, a convent, and a service was taking place with the nuns singing antiphonally, a beautiful sound. Our tour guide explained the frescoes we could see outside. The most impressive was the huge Jacob’s ladder or ladder of Virtues. This showed many saints on the right hand side and sinners on the left. A sloping ladder at an angle separated the two. People could be seen on the ladder, aiming to reach heaven, but some of them were falling off
the ladder towards hell. All these churches also show Jesse’s tree – a series of paintings showing the geneal-ogy of Christ, starting from Jesse. Other
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McCabe Pilgrimage to Romania Sept-Oct 2019
Frances Westcott
I have recently been on a very enjoyable holiday to Romania. Ever since I became aware of the existence of painted monasteries in Romania, I have wanted to visit them. They are truly spectacular but there is so much else to see in Romania as well. The journey began in Bucharest, the capital. 25 people were in the group, led by the Rev. John Robinson. We had a tour of the city, viewing the huge (and ugly) Parliament Palace, built by Ceausescu, and also visiting the open-air village museum which contained houses and churches from the 18th and 19th centuries collected from different parts of Romania. We also went to visit a children’s hospice which is supported by a charity based in Glasgow, Children in Distress. The tour company had deducted money from our travel costs to donate a sum to the hospice. We also gave individually on the day and at the end of the holiday we collected in our spare Romanian currency as an additional donation. Although the hospice cared for the children, it had very little else to offer them which was very sad. Before leaving Bucharest, we visited a large Orthodox Church, attached to a monastery. There seem to be hundreds of monasteries in Romania, - there were directions to 4 or 5 in every town we came to. From Bucharest, we drove north to Curtea de Arges, visiting another Orthodox church where a service was taking place with a wonderful male choir, singing a cappella,. Further north, we visited the monastery of Cozia which had beautiful frescoes inside the church. In the little village of Sibiel, we went round the small museum of icons painted on glass, examples of naïve art, donated from villages all over Romania. We had now arrived in Transylvania, visiting the towns of Sibiu and Sighisoara, where Vlad the Impaler was born. He was a historical figure – but, though he was very cruel, he was not a vampire! In the past this area had had a large Saxon population and there are still Lutheran churches in the area, often fortified. We visited the fortified Lutheran church in Biertan which still has one service a month in German. On the way there, we passed a group of Roma who were selling their traditional copper and brass ware.
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The Church of St John the Evangelist
Great Stanmore
is open each day from 9am until dark
Visitors welcome
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KIRKWOODS - SOLICITORS
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA No 79929
We specialise in Business advice
House sale and purchase Wills and probate
Remortgages Death duty tax planning
Landlord and tenant Divorce and family problems
41a CHURCH ROAD, STANMORE HA7 4AB
Tel: 020 8954 8555 - Fax: 020 8954 4124
BERNAYS MEMORIAL HALL
25 The Broadway,
STANMORE HA7 4DA
www.bernaysmemorialhall.org.uk
Bookings: 07954 230 210
THE STANMORE SOCIETY
Exists to serve the place where you live
ITS STRENGTH DEPENDS
ON YOUR SUPPORT
Membership Secretary :
10 Hewett Close, Stanmore HA7 3BW
Tel: 07947 423 215
DCG Electrical Services
Additional lighting and sockets - Full/part rewires
Inspection and testing - Fault finding - Fusebox upgrades
Building Regulations
Part P Approved Contractor
David Gosden 01923 672400
[email protected] 07501 337223
DCG Electrical Services
Additional lighting and sockets - Full/part rewires
Inspection and testing - Fault finding - Fusebox upgrades
Building Regulations
Part P Approved Contractor
David Gosden 01923 672400
[email protected] 07501 337223
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25 Monday Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century; Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748
26 Tuesday
10.30am BCP Holy Communion
1.15pm Little Fishers Parent & Toddler Group 2.15pm Tea and Chat
7.30pm PCC Meeting in Church House
27 Wednesday
8pm Home Group (KP)
28 Thursday
8-9.30pm Bell Ringing Practice – newcomers welcome
29 Friday
30 Saturday ANDREW THE APOSTLE
Junior Choir We will again be having our very successful children’s choir singing at our Christmas Carol service on Sunday 22nd December.
Rehearsals will start on 20th October from 3-4pm. Children of all ages are welcome. For more information please speak to Edit or Philip.
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17 Sunday SECOND SUNDAY before ADVENT
8am Holy Communion 9.30am All-Age Service 11am Matins
5pm Evensong
18 Monday Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231
19 Tuesday Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680
10.30am CW Holy Communion
1.15pm Little Fishers Parents & Toddlers Group 2.15pm Tea and Chat
8pm Home Group (JP)
20 Wednesday Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870 Priscilla Lydia Sellon, a Restorer of the Religious Life in the Church of England 1876
3.30pm Wolstenholme Study Group
21 Thursday
8-9.30pm Bell Ringing Practice – newcomers welcome
22 Friday Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c. 230
23 Saturday Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c. 100
24 Sunday CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY next before ADVENT
8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Communion 11am Matins
3pm Christmas Afternoon Tea in Church House
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Church Diary for November 2019
1 Friday ALL SAINTS’ DAY
2 Saturday ALL SOULS’ DAY
3 Sunday FOURTH SUNDAY before ADVENT
8am Holy Communion 10am Parish Communion 11am Matins 11.45am Matins Communion 2.30pm Memorial Service 8pm Compline
4 Monday
5 Tuesday 10.30am CW Holy Communion 1.15pm Little Fishers Parent & Toddler Group 2.15pm Tea and Chat 8pm Home Group (JP)
6 Wednesday Leonard, Hermit, 6th century; William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944
7 Thursday Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739
8-9.30pm Bell Ringing Practice – newcomers welcome
8 Friday Saints and Martyrs of England
9 Saturday Margery Kempe, Mystic, c. 1440
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10 Sunday THIRD SUNDAY before ADVENT – Remembrance Sunday
8am Holy Communion 9.45am Parish Communion 11am Act of Remembrance
5pm Engage Speaker: The Revd Barry Hingston (Vicar of St John’s Church, Greenhill) 7pm Stanmore Charities’ Meeting in Church House
11 Monday Martin, Bishop of Tours, c. 397
12 Tuesday 10.30am BCP Holy Communion
1.15pm Little Fishers Parent & Toddler Group 2.15pm Tea and Chat
8pm Home Group (PH) 8pm Deanery Synod at Emmanuel Northwood
13 Wednesday Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836
8pm Home Group (KP)
14 Thursday Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796
8-9.30pm Bell Ringing Practice – newcomers welcome
15 Friday
16 Saturday Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Philanthropist, Reformer of the Church, 1093 Edmund Rich of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1240
